The Giver by Lois Lowry

Title: The Giver
Author: Lois Lowry
Publisher: Ember
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blurb: Jonas' world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

Review:
This book was the very thing I have been looking for in quite a long time. I know this because upon reading the last word, a shiver crept through me and my eyes began to sting with longing for more.

Jonas lives in an ideal world. Conflict does not exist. Poverty, injustice and divorce are unheard of. There is no color in his community. Everything is nondescript. Each December, children who reach the age of 12 are given a job that was selected to fit their aptitudes. Jonas is given more, for as of age twelve, he must bear atop his shoulders a weight equivalent to a million mountains.

When I finished the book, I asked myself why on earth it took me so many years to finally read it. I've seen this book around since I was ten years old, and now, six years later, I am glad that I did not read it earlier. Had I done so, I might not have understood the beauty in the simplicity of the language. I might not have understood the importance in distinction. I might not have felt the sting of tears at the idea that there could be a world without love and loss. Without pain and joy. 

Jonas lives in this indifferent life, and it was certainly something new for me to perceive. The idea behind the story is very bizarre, but definitely atmospheric. The setting was such that the colorless world seemed almost palpable to me.

And the characters! Their conformity with the rules was very well executed. The characters did not come off as card boards even though they felt nothing they were not taught to feel. In all honesty, until about halfway through, I began to wonder myself what was so rotten about the nondescript life they lived in. It was that real. I thought everything really worked. There is no struggle! But there is also no choice.

I would recommend this book to everyone. Though it was written for children, the depth between the lines is enough to fill up anyone with wonder. 

Summer 2014 Must Reads!!

It's finally that time of the year when all the book nerds throw back, relax, and get ready for extreme reading. Oh, joy, I am so stoked because summers are when you can finally get to try perhaps a new genre, or a book you've heard plenty about, but have never gotten around to read. The only problem is, the world is overflowing with books of all sorts, so much so that it can be sort of intimidating stepping out of your norm. This year, I've actually already taken some baby steps away from the YA field. Today, I will share with you the books I've read this year that would make worthy summer reads. So progress, good folk.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS    

1) The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Blurb: 
Sussex, England. A middle-aged man returns to his childhood home to attend a funeral. Although the house he lived in is long gone, he is drawn to the farm at the end of the road, where, when he was seven, he encountered a most remarkable girl, Lettie Hempstock, and her mother and grandmother. He hasn't thought of Lettie in decades, and yet as he sits by the pond (a pond that she'd claimed was an ocean) behind the ramshackle old farmhouse, the unremembered past comes flooding back. And it is a past too strange, too frightening, too dangerous to have happened to anyone, let alone a small boy. (more)

Why you should read it: 
Ever read a book that really makes you feel nostalgic? Makes you feel a longing for childhood, or just really goes deep into your memories and emotions and builds a nest there? This book does that with its subtle hint at beautiful lessons about what it means to be a child and how we grow up to forget. The setting was beautiful and vivid, containing every sort of comfort (a pond, quiet old town, a barn, green hills).

Bottom Line:
Read to feel a moment of awe.

2) The Little Prince

Blurb:
A pilot forced to crash land in the Sahara desert encounters a little prince who is visiting the earth from his own small planet with its three volcanoes and a beautiful flower. Through this encounter, the pilot comes to discover many of life's universal truths which illuminate the human condition with all its foibles, cunning and eccentricities. The Little Prince is a strange and wonderful parable for all ages, championing the beauty and wisdom of childhood which fades when one becomes a 'grown up'. (more)

Why you should read it:
The Little Prince is a timeless, abstract classic that is relatively fast to read. The pictures within the books are absolutely breath taking, and the dialogue is so very unique and emotional.

Bottom Line:
Read to indulge in the aesthetic of language and art simultaneously. 

3) The Golem and the Jinni

Blurb:
Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay, brought to life by a strange man who dabbles in dark Kabbalistic magic. Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire, born in the ancient Syrian Desert. Trapped in an old copper flask by a Bedouin wizard centuries ago, he is released accidentally by a tinsmith in a Lower Manhattan shop. Struggling to make their way in 1899 New York, the Golem and the Jinni try to fit in with their neighbors while masking their true selves.

And then, one cold and windy night, their paths happen to meet. (more)

Why you should read it:
If you are a die-hard fan of beautifully constructed love stories, than jump right on and read this baby! The main characters are so very unique, and the story will keep you on edge and turning the pages because you simply cannot get enough of the plot.  

Bottom line:
And then, one cold and windy night, their paths happen to meet. Tell me this line doesn't give you goosebumps of anticipation.

4) The Ghost Bride

Blurb:
Though ruled by British overlords, the Chinese of colonial Malaya still cling to ancient customs. And in the sleepy port town of Malacca, ghosts and superstitions abound.

Li Lan, the daughter of a genteel but bankrupt family, has few prospects. But fate intervenes when she receives an unusual proposal from the wealthy and powerful Lim family. They want her to become a ghost bride for the family's only son, who recently died under mysterious circumstances. Rarely practiced, a traditional ghost marriage is used to placate a restless spirit. Such a union would guarantee Li Lan a home for the rest of her days, but at a terrible price. (more)

Why you should read it:
For those of you who are reluctant to step out of YA fiction, this piece of work is a great place to start. The writing style is not very different than that of YA. The plot of the book is very unique, and the mysterious element really reels you into a whole new world. And if you are not accustomed to reading about books that take place overseas, well, you should be worried. Books with Chinese or Japanese settings can be extremely beautifully crafted, and extremely addicting. After you read this, you will want more books with a similar setting, at which point I would recommend Three Souls by Janie Chang 

Bottom line:
You will not be able to predict the ending. Or the romance (insert wink).

The Saga of Larten Crepsley by Darren Shan

NOTE: This review is very general to the whole series, being a prequel and all. There are no spoilers.

 
Title: The Saga of Larten Crepsley (#1 Birth of a Killer, #2 Ocean of Blood, #3 Palace of the Damned, #4 Brother's to the Death)
Author: Darren Shan
Rating: 5 stars
Blurb: (Of the first book only)
The highly anticipated prequel to the New York Times bestselling Cirque Du Freak series!
Before Cirque Du Freak...
Before the war with the vampaneze...
Before he was a vampire.
Larten Crepsley was a boy.
As a child laborer many centuries ago, Larten Crepsley did his job well and without complaint, until the day the foreman killed his cousin as an example to the other children.

In that moment, young Larten flies into a rage that the foreman wouldn't survive. Forced on the run, he sleeps in crypts and eats cobwebs to get by. And when a vampire named Seba offers him protection and training as a vampire's assistant, Larten takes it.

Review:
Darren Shan has done it again. The Master of Horror is now too the Master of Originality, and the Master of Storytelling. He is the Master of Masters. Brother's to the Death was the fourth and final in the Larten Crepsley Saga, and though this saga is a prequel to the Cirque Du Freak Saga (many sagas there), it contained the same
 thrill, emotion, and depth as a non-prequel. I say this because prequels can often get tiresome. The events do not always bear a shock or surprise, but the same cannot be said for Darren Shan's Larten Crepsley books.

The idea behind his novels may revolve around vampires, but do not be fooled. These vampires are some of the most ancient, most noble and vicious. These vampires do not glitter and nor do they turn to ash beneath the sun. They are not all handsome (most are not), but they are some of the most heartfelt vampires I have ever read about. Mr. Shan has simply blown the scales of the 'Feel-o-Meter'. The characters, vampires and non vampires alike, are heavily padded with realism and depth. Their lives are so fascinating. Even after having turned the last page I found myself stuck in the 19th century, standing beneath a dark sky. The atmosphere of the story seemed to have drifted from the pages, engulfing me, blinding me like a thick fog.

I implore everyone to give Darren Shan a try. Although it would be a good idea to start from the original saga, The Cirque Du Freak. His characters are some of the most profound I have ever set eyes upon. His plots are some of the most fascinating. I can proudly say that Darren Shan rests a place in my heart along with Rick Riordan, Patrick Ness, and Neal Shusterman.

(On a side note, in this review I've tried to speak generally of all four books in the Saga).

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

Title: The Beginning for Everything
Author: Robyn Schneider
Publisher: Katherine Tegen/Imprint of HarperCollins

My Rating: 3.5 stars
Blurb:Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: in one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.

No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met, achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures. (More)

My Review:

After having read many dystopian and fantasy novels, I felt relieved when I sat down with The Beginning of Everything. I just needed something sweet and normal; a light read that was anything but my usual genre. To my delight, this book gave me just that, and it even threw in a surprise ending.

Ezra Faulkner is high on the plateau of social status at his high. He is a popular jock who has everything, until his own personal tragedy makes him realize that he, in fact, had nothing. The readers are made to embark on a journey of self discovery, of what it means to more than just exist in the world.

Right from the start I was getting a nice vibe from our protagonist. His tone was distinct from the usual in a chick lit, and his character was nicely built. I could really connect with him, and I felt myself rooting for him from the very start. When Cassidy Thorpe, the protagonist’s crush walked into the picture, I started predicting how the plot would unravel, which was a bit of a downer. You know, a typical boy falls for girl novel. But of course it wasn’t that. There was a mystery about the new girl and I just couldn’t seem to put a finger on what the issue could possibly be.

The writing itself was flawless. I loved the pace and the descriptions, and oh, the use of the Panopticon analogy was simply genius. A Panopticon is a building where a watchman can observe all of the inmates without their knowledge. The idea is that nobody can step out of line in fear that they may be watched. This idea was related to the world Ezra lives in. Great isn’t it?

Nicely paced and well written, the Beginning of Everything was a breath of fresh air. I especially loved the ending. Things didn’t wrap up as I had expected, and for that I was surprisingly glad. The book truly portrays what it means to go beyond existing by the expectations, and into actually living.   

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

Title: The School for Good and Evil
Author: Soman Chainani
Rating: 4 stars
Blurb: The first kidnappings happened two hundred years before. Some years it was two boys taken, some years two girls, sometimes one of each. But if at first the choices seemed random, soon the pattern became clear. One was always beautiful and good, the child every parent wanted as their own. The other was homely and odd, an outcast from birth. An opposing pair, plucked from youth and spirited away.

This year, best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to discover where all the lost children go: the fabled School for Good & Evil, where ordinary boys and girls are trained to be fairy tale heroes and villains. As the most beautiful girl in Gavaldon, Sophie has dreamed of being kidnapped into an enchanted world her whole life. With her pink dresses, glass slippers, and devotion to good deeds, she knows she’ll earn top marks at the School for Good and graduate a storybook princess. Meanwhile Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks, wicked pet cat, and dislike of nearly everyone, seems a natural fit for the School for Evil. (More)

My Review:
Even before starting this book, I knew it would be different. Perhaps I felt this way because of the integration of fairy tales. Can I just say, finally. As a child growing up, I was obsessed with tales of princesses and princes living their happily ever after. Those times were truly magical, and reading this book has brought back the magic in an original and breathtaking way. I was pulled into the fairy tale world the author created from the very first line, and the excitement only grew as the story steadily progressed. I found myself lost in the plot, constantly envisioning the vivid imagery of the world in the story. 

The story line follows two best friends, one pretty, and one supposedly ugly. Sophie, dressed in pink and busy with good deeds, wishes for nothing but to be taken to this fairy tale land where she would acquire her happily ever after. Of course, when her friends Agatha, drab and constantly dressed in black, lands in her dream school, things take and unexpected turn. 

The idea I have to admit is ingenious. I mean, a legend about a fairy tale school the product of which are villains and charming princesses? Nice. Now add in just a touch of romance and mystery and you've got a perfectly wonderful book. 

The characters were, I would say, just right. I especially loved the son of King Arthur, who proved to override the mainstream Prince, though he had his times. The qualities and actions of the characters made me grow fond of them, and I even found myself teary-eyed at their occasional sorrows. 

Like every story, of course, this one did have flaws, the biggest being target audience. The length and vocabulary seemed much too long for a young audience, and yet the characters were aged only twelve and so the dialogue was sometimes tedious. I feel the problem could be easily resolved with an age swap, because frankly, it's difficult trying to picture a twelve year old Snow white, and even harder to picture a twelve year old prince charming. 

That's not to say that the story lost its effect on me. The plot line and world building cast aside my doubts and swept me to a truly enchanting ride. I was once again reminded that no one is ever too old for a fairy tale. 

And the cliffhanger! I will now start pulling out my hair. Oh, and did I mention, I'm loving the cover. 

Can't wait for 2014

Guys, it's almost the new year, and more than anything else, that means: NEW BOOKS. I don't know about you all, but I for one am just craving sequels and prequels and just other novels somewhere down a saga. And of course, just books that I've heard lots about. Oh man, you guys ready for the list? Here goes!

1) The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus, #5) by Rick Riordan

If you guys haven't heard of Percy Jackson, than you've yet to taste wonder. This is the 5th and final in the Heroes of Olympus series, following the Percy Jackson books! It'll all come down to this. Us Percy Jackson fans were lucky when Percy made a reappearance in the Heroes of Olympus series, but this might be it. After this, Percy might not come back. Oh sobs! Hope this one is good.

Coming out: October 7th, 2014





2) Undivided by Neal Shusterman (Unwind Dystology #4)

Ah, the Unwind Dystology. The fourth and final book comes out this year and I am just stoked! Neal Shusterman is an amazing storyteller, and his books are just heart robbing!

If I recall, the last book that came out, Unsouled, promised a very very intense last book. Let the epic journey begin!

Coming out: Summer of 2014 (yay, during stress free summer).
 
   




3) The Infinite Sea (The Fifth Wave #2) by Rick Yancey

Rick's second book in the 5th Wave trilogy. The first book was nice and enticing, so I'm just waiting for the second now! Can't wait to see where the characters all find themselves, and how they will survive the alien apocalypse!

Coming out: September 16th, 2014





4) A World Without Princes (The School for Good and Evil #2) by Soman Chainani

I've just recently read The School for Good and Evil, and I am impressed at this debut novel filled with mystery, romance, and fairy tales.  Reading through it was truly a magical ride, and I found myself once more stuck in a world of princes and princess. It reminded me that I am not yet too old to indulge in a fairytale. That is why I am absolutely looking forward to the sequel, A World Without Princes! I mean, look at that cover guys!

Coming out: April 15th, 2014




These are just a few that I was absolutely looking forwards to. There are many more, some I might not even realise until later on. What about you guys, what are you all looking forward too?

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Raven Boys
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Rating: 5 Stars
Blurb: “There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble. (more)

My Review:

Blue Sargent will kill her true love with a kiss, or so it was prophesied by the women in her family. The seers. And so when she sees a spirit on St.Mark's eve, it is clear that he is either her true love, or the one she will kill.

That can't end too well, and especially because the spirit happens to be a boy by the name of Richard "Dick" Campbell Gansey III. He is rich and attending Aglionby Academy, the local school for the rich, obviously. Aside from wealth, he has good friends, a not so nice car, insomnia, and a sick obsession with a lost Welsh King. I adore Gansey on so many levels. His characterization is astoundingly well formed, astounding to the point where I can imagine him right beside me, a solid human being.

Or perhaps the reason I feel connected to him, and the other's no doubt, is because Maggie Stiefvater has created such a thick atmosphere, I can almost feel the fog pouring out of the pages. As if I am there, and oh boy, the feeling is just breathtaking. I love that about this book, and the same effect was embedded inside her book, The Scorpio Races.

The plot is nicely paced, with enough to keep us on our toes yet simultaneously have us reclining on our chairs. The ideas are just extraordinary (really, they are), and the characters and setting are nicely built upon.

From the wit to the adventure and suspense, I would recommend this book to all and any. Do not be fooled into thinking that this is just another typical romance. It's not, it's so much more. It will keep you up at night, transforming the darkness outside to a forest in which an old king may lie, and the sweat on you to a warm Henrietta summer breeze. Read it. Just go and do it, you will not be disappointed.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Title: The 5th Wave
Author: Rick Yancey
Rating: 3.5 stars
Blurb: After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

My Review:
They attacked in waves, the aliens did. The first wave took out all forms of technology. The second wave destroyed the coastal cities. The third wave was a plague. The fourth wave, silencer's. And the fifth wave, well, where would be the fun if I told you guys that? Cassie Sullivan has survived all the waves, and now she must face the 5th. The worst of them all.

I was in much anticipation of the 5th Wave, partly because the author happened to be Rick Yancey, and then there was also the hype. Was I satisfied? Yes. Was it flawless? No.

I must admit that I did love the idea of the waves, but not necessarily the way they were portrayed. For the most part, the story is a retelling of the four waves that have already passed, and that really made the plot drag a little. But there was enough curiosity there for me to carry on until the plot started to twist enough to grab my attention and race me through the last half of the story. There were also two narrators, and both had a distinct tone and attitude, allowing us to distinguish between them. I admittedly preferred the second narrator, who I will not mention by name or I fear I might spoil the story. He, yes it is a he, was just more steady and natural sounding then Cassie. I think Rick overdid her tone, trying to bring out a forced teenager, but only slightly.

The one thing I absolutely loved was the element of mystery. The knowing something that later is not what you'd expect it to be but then suddenly it was. What? Exactly. At one point in the story you will begin to question everything, especially the characters. Who's good and who's not? The whole issue of trust is embedded deeply within the characters, and therefore within us.

Overall, I didn't know what to think of this story. I loved it but found myself shaking my head every here and there. Essentially, the plot was nicely paced and the characters were steadily built upon. There was enough excitement and mystery, and a nice touch of romance to carry me to the end. I would recommend this to everyone because it wasn't just another 'Hunger Games'. This was something more. It was enough to satisfy my search for a good read.  

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

I haven't written a book review for quite a while, but now that I have some time (actually I'm pushing away some essays to write this review) I will do just that. Funny thing is, my class will be reading Lord of the Flies starting this week, but me being a bad girl and all, I went ahead and read it myself. I'd heard many negative things about this book from many of my fellow friends. I can't blame them. They read the book with their classes, and why would anybody in their right sense enjoy a book...moreI haven't written a book review for quite a while, but now that I have some time (actually I'm pushing away some essays to write this review) I will do just that. Funny thing is, my class will be reading Lord of the Flies starting this week, but me being a bad girl and all, I went ahead and read it myself. I'd heard many negative things about this book from many of my fellow friends. I can't blame them. They read the book with their classes, and why would anybody in their right sense enjoy a book they were forced to read? Despite the negative remarks, I quite enjoyed this book. In fact, I found it to be an exhilarating ride filled with allegorical depth and eye tearing moments. Many elder critics have stated that this book is nothing but a didactic novel coated with allegory, and that once the reader passes the figurative aspect of the book, nothing but a bare skeleton is left. A bare skeleton lacking substance in characterization and actual theme building. I would say otherwise. The characters, though they may all represent something greater then themselves, are all very realistic. Their behavior, for young adolescents, invites the sympathy of the readers. They are stranded on an island after all, with no adults to look after and take care of them. This sympathy is further built upon when the young adolescents began to rebel against each other, and some of these children are made to bear the brunt of the weight more than others-these children being Ralph and Piggy; two key characters who also happened to be my favorites. Ralph is the first character we are introduced to, and so we build a general bond with him. This bond grows as he becomes the leader of a group of boys and struggles to hold them together. Piggy is the second boy we encounter, and whereas Ralph is the mighty bronze, Piggy is the intellectual behind him. The one true friend who sticks by him through the good and the bad. The friend who acts as, more or less, the brain. Golding has created three dimensional characters out of these two. Ralph, for example, may be the leader, but he too is vulnerable to the evil, as Golding suggests, that shadows man. This vulnerability renders Ralph an interesting character. His shameful behavior, calling Piggy names, teasing some of the other boys, entices emotion out of the reader. We are made to feel disgusted, and in a sense, betrayed by our beloved character. To say the least, Ralph is a faulty little boy, but as the journey progresses and innocence is lost, he makes us proud through his courageous actions. That brings us to the theme of the book. Yes, many people say that the theme relates to the undeniable evil within man, which, when given the right circumstance, brings out the savage in us. I'm going to be a bit more general and state the theme to be that no human being is perfect, and evil is within every shadow and corner. Ralph is, as I see it, the representative of imperfection. He is the chosen leader on the island, but he too must succumb to a lower level. And as with Piggy, though he may be a modern intellectual, his physical aspect degrades him before the other boys. Golding, in regards to Ralph and Piggy, chooses to exhibit imperfection by using different means; Physical (Piggy), and spiritual (Ralph). As with evil always present in some form or way, Golding has used many different characters to portray this message. There would be Jack, one of the opposing boys, along with Roger. Jack is a haughty boy who likes to be in the light. He craves power, leadership, and when he does not get these things, he resorts to evil. Not evil right away, but as the readers, we see a gradual inclination towards evil on his part. He starts off by breaking up into a separate group, and then he takes to theft, following that, murder. As for Roger, he does not crave power, but simply wishes to bring harm upon the vulnerable. At one point he wishes to harm a younger boy, but the ever loosening grip of civilization holds him back. Of course, in the end that grip loosens completely, and he too, resorts to evil. As I have explained above, evil is not necessarily innate in all men, as some suggest the theme to be, but it is ever present for those to trip and fall down in its abyss (Roger, Jack). There is a lesser degree of evil, as shown in Ralph, but I would suggest that to be nothing but childish folly. To conclude, this book was absolutely stunning. I was swept away by the adrenaline that coursed through the book. I was brought to tears when my favorite characters were brought to tears, and I was absolutely amazed at the depth of this 'didactic' novel.

Starters (Starters and Enders #1) by Lissa Price

Title: Starters (Enders #1)
Author: Lissa Price
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blurb: HER WORLD IS CHANGED FOREVER

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . .

Review: Alright, where to start... I'll be honest to say that the cover page of Starters pulled me in more than the description. The little blurb on the back was interesting, but I couldn't find anything unique about it. I mean, I can't number the times I've read about a post-something story where the main characters are on the streets (OK, maybe not that many books, but the idea just doesn't fascinate me as it did the first time). So honestly, I didn't have great expectations for this book. I had hope, but I have that for most books, or else I wouldn't try them.

OK, I'm boring you. So let me cut to the chase. The thing I really loved about this story was the suspense. Lissa Price did a good job staying away from a predictable conclusion, and that basically kept me from putting the book down. I wanted to know what all the hubbub was about, and along with an unpredictable conclusion, there was a good pace, whereas things weren't too slow, or too fast. As the story played on, the characters were nicely built on. We get to know more about them and for me, the relations became very important, and fascinating.
I'm not just talking about the romance, there was a bit of that (not a whole lot), but Callie, the main character, and her relations with the people she meets and her renter. In the beginning the reader doesn't know who Callie will be able to trust, and who she can't. Even when the good guys are brought into the light, things end up being different, and here's why:

The whole story revolves around young people renting their bodies to old people, Enders, allowing them to do whatever with that body. So if this is the case, than how can you tell who is really who they say they are... are you guys getting me? Oh, the suspense!

Another thing that I loved was the whole idea of young people renting their bodies. Throughout the book, this idea becomes scarier and scarier, and you start to want the main character to overcome this scary reality, and when good things do start to happen, the relief that follows is very strong. I loved how Lissa Price was able to play with out emotions like that.

Finally, let me say a word or two about the romance: Team Michael. There you go folks, you heard it here first. Now go try the book out, it's as good as it's cover! Better!   
 

Legend by Marie Lu

Title: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Rating: 3/5 stars
Blurb: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’ death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Review: I read this book right after I read Ashfall by Mike Mullin, and I have to say, both of them made me go through the same motions... shrugs.

So anyway, Legend turned out to be an interesting read, and from the beginning I found myself fascinated by Day's character. He's very likable in that he's poor, yet totally bold and helpful. His is also the first POV in the story. June's POV comes second, and because of that, I wasn't as intrigued with her character. It's not that she was unexciting or anything, I just found that her character was very similar with Day's. Or maybe it was just their voices. Yeah, the voices.

The plot was alright. It kept me reading till the end, and it had enough twists to hold my attention. Especially near the end. I really wanted to find out how things would turn out, and John (Day's older brother), just became my favourite character after what he did. To be honest, I think I liked him from the very start.

There was one huge pitfall for me in the book. Both June and Day are these super smart, super agile and athletic, super famous (for different reasons), super mega beautiful 15 year olds... Have I said enough? OK, maybe all of the above might have been alright had our protagonists been older. I mean, they are so young yet so influential... it's all just very unrealistic, and therefor, it threw me off a bit.

In all though, the plot and characters were interesting enough, and the whole story was put together nicely. For me, this book is truly a three stars, nothing great, nothing sucky. Just average. I might give the second book a try (greater chance if it makes its way to me, and not me to it, yeah?) (Day said yeah a lot, is that like, and an American thing? Because I can totally use this on my cousins in the states, yeah?)  

Ashfall by Mike Mullin

Title: Ashfall
Author: Mike Mullin
Rating: 3.5/5
Blurb: Many visitors to Yellowstone National Park don’t realize that the boiling hot springs and spraying geysers are caused by an underlying super volcano, so large that the caldera can only be seen by plane or satellite. And by some scientific measurements, it could be overdue for an eruption.

For Alex, being left alone for the weekend means having the freedom to play computer games and hang out with his friends without hassle from his mother. Then the Yellowstone super volcano erupts, plunging his hometown into a nightmare of darkness, ash, and violence. Alex begins a harrowing trek to search for his family and finds help in Darla, a travel partner he meets along the way. Together they must find the strength and skills to survive and outlast an epic disaster.

Review: After reading a whole bunch of reviews, and skimming through a page of 5 star ratings (goodreads), I feel like my 3.5 stars doesn't fit in. That being said, I will admit I wasn't sure what to rate this book, but after a while of debating, I figured this book was just average.

The first page, the first line drew me in, and for the most part, I was feeling the suspense of 'what's going to happen now?' I felt I could relate with the characters, and I really wanted them to overcome whatever opposing forces they had to face. The main character, Alex, had a very witty voice, which made the book that much more enjoyable.

Then there was the relationship between Darla and Alex. I have to say, it was very cute in the beginning and I really wanted to see it blossom into something beautiful, but it was also the thing that threw me down to a 3.5 stars. Yeah, yeah, I know, maybe a bit too drastic, but I have my reasons. The first is that for me, it went way too fast. Not even a month in, and they were getting way too serious. The second reason is that it was, if nothing, a bit too average. There was nothing special about their relationship. Of course, I just happen to prefer the slow and steady motto when it comes to romance in novels.

The other thing that threw me off course was the behaviour of the authority figures and the resources at the refuge camp. I mean, this is the US we're talking about. How can there not be enough food to feed a few hundreds, even thousands? And the authority that ran the camp, they were so crude and uncivil... Fine, there's a crisis, and it's a dystopian novel, but still, it was a bit unrealistic even with basic things. I guess it helped build the plot and suspense.

In all though, the book was well written. I couldn't stop reading it because of the anticipation. Sure, there were some pitfalls, but no matter, it was still a satisfying read. If you're a lover of dystopia, and suspense, then I'm sure you'll love this book. I'm going to give the second book a try, just maybe not right away.

Thirst no.5 (The Sacred Veil) by Christopher Pike

Title: The Sacred Veil
Author: Christopher Pike
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Blurb: In her five thousand years as a vampire, Alisa - or Sita, as she was originally called - has experienced the equivalent of fifty lifetimes. Every moment of her immortal life is seared deep into her being. Every person she has loved, every victim she has killed - their faces are forever part of her.

Yet, strangely, a handful of memories have been lost to Alisa. As she and her friends embark on a search for the location of a sacred artifact - an ancient veil that may hold the key to mankind's salvation - Alisa soon realizes that her own mind may be her greatest enemy.

The memories she is blocking deal with the most horrifying period in mankind's history, a time when she was tortured by a madman responsible for the deaths of millions. But what information did her torture yield?

Review:
Being the fifth book in a series I read a while ago, I was reluctant to pick It up. I couldn't remember much from the first four books, and when I saw this one, I looked over it. Then, just a few weeks ago, I decided to give this book a go because I had enjoyed the first four books, and I absolutely love Christopher Pike's style of writing. It is very professional. Let me begin by saying that I quickly got into the Sacred Veil, and the pace was perfectly set-not too fast, not too slow.

The characters were the same from the previous books, and some new ones were introduced. Aside from the main characters-Sita, Seymour, and Matt-I really felt with the minor characters, and I think this is a result of Pike's very realistic settings and events. He did an amazing job conveying the emotions and feelings our characters went through.

Other things I loved about The Sacred Veil-more like all of the books-were the ideas. I mean, the idea of different worlds and multi-billion organisations that were demonic-all of it was really fascinating. I absolutely love this about his books, especially the idea of beings called the Tellar, and the crazy strong children in the cradle. Just fascinating.

And now, for the ending (no spoilers). Pike decided to throw a cliff-hanger, a major one, and a cliff-hanger involving my favourite two characters! I suppose it's a good thing we can improvise on our own, but I still wish I knew how it would all end...

In all, the book was beautifully written, had a good pace, and had me hooked until the end. Give the series a try if you haven't already!

Book Haul #3

It's officially the first day of summer, June 21st, and what better way to spend it than to stare at the new books that just came in from the library. I've been waiting awhile for these four books, but hey, patience pays off. Once I finish them, I promise reviews! Without further ado:

Title: Ashfall
Author: Mike Mullin

Blurb: Many visitors to Yellowstone National Park don’t realize that the boiling hot springs and spraying geysers are caused by an underlying supervolcano, so large that the caldera can only be seen by plane or satellite. And by some scientific measurements, it could be overdue for an eruption.

For Alex, being left alone for the weekend means having the freedom to play computer games and hang out with his friends without hassle from his mother. Then the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts, plunging his hometown into a nightmare of darkness, ash, and violence. Alex begins a harrowing trek to seach for his family and finds help in Darla, a travel partner he meets along the way. Together they must find the strength and skills to survive and outlast an epic disaster.

 

My Reaction: So alright, the cover's cool, so is the title. The description is meh. The reason I went for this book was because I needed a dystopian. Just that. Also, I'd been seeing this book around the web for a while now, so I figured why not give it a try? I hope it proves worthy.

                                                         

 

 

Title: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Blurb: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

 

My Reaction: Yes, so it's another dystopian, but come on, I haven't had a good dystopian for what seems like forever. Besides, my friend recommended, and I trust in her sense of books. Hope it's good, and can't wait to get my hands all over it.

 

 

 

Title: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

Author: Jacqueline Kelly
Blurb: Calpurnia Virginia Tate is eleven years old in 1899 when she wonders why the yellow grasshoppers in her Texas backyard are so much bigger than the green ones.With a little help from her notoriously cantankerous grandfather, an avid naturalist, she figures out that the green grasshoppers are easier to see against the yellow grass, so they are eaten before they can get any larger. As Callie explores the natural world around her, she develops a close relationship with her grandfather, navigates the dangers of living with six brothers, and comes up against just what it means to be a girl at the turn of the century.

My Reaction: Ok, my experience with books set in the past is perfect. I've never come across any book with a setting in the 90's and 80's that I haven't totally adored. Examples: The Book Thief, The Kite Runner, and Fever 1793. I've got big hopes for this baby, and hey, it's not a dystopian.




Title: The Sacred Veil (Thirst no.5)
Author: Christopher Pike
Blurb: In her five thousand years as a vampire, Alisa - or Sita, as she was originally called - has experienced the equivalent of fifty lifetimes. Every moment of her immortal life is seared deep into her being. Every person she has loved, every victim she has killed - their faces are forever part of her.

Yet, strangely, a handful of memories have been lost to Alisa. As she and her friends embark on a search for the location of a sacred artifact - an ancient veil that may hold the key to mankind's salvation - Alisa soon realizes that her own mind may be her greatest enemy.

The memories she is blocking deal with the most horrifying period in mankind's history, a time when she was tortured by a madman responsible for the deaths of millions. But what information did her torture yield?

My Reaction: I enjoyed the past four volumes, and Sita has really become a favourite character of mine. Her moods, her style (especially her 'then you should never have been born' line). I'm scared of just one thing. That this book might just be pushing it a bit too far. What I mean is that I was certain that the fourth volume might be the last, but now this? Ok, I've just read a few reviews that state that this book has no real plot to the whole series. I'm a bit nervous, but I still can't wait!

 

 

 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Title: The Book Thief

Author: Markus Zusak

Rating: 10 000 000/5

 

I just finished reading this book for the second time. The first, as I recall, was when I was about 12 years old, and back then, I loved it, but not with the kind of passion I'm feeling now. Where do I start? Ok, ok, I know. I'll start with the thing that's been on my lips for this past week (took so long because of exams) the most.

 

Markus Zusak. Ugh, Markus Zusak. Now, I myself am quite addicted to writing stories, and have high hopes for the future. After reading The Book Thief, I'm in a tug of war between totally hating Monsieur Zusak, or totally adoring him. Zusak, Zusak, Zusak, you dare write so masterfully? You dare, oh you make me feel pathetic! Now, as much as I totally envy him for his style of writing, I couldn't stop myself from praising him before my family and friends. Praising him and his story. Let me give you guys an excerpt:

 

Me: His narrator is death, hey, you listening? Death, man, death, how creative can you get?

Brother: Mhm, interesting..
Me: Give me some ideas for my own narrators, I can't just write without a known narrator, god, I just can't write like that!

Brother: Life?

Me: NO, it's not death, man, life is just so... I dunno. Forget that, you know, Markus Zusak wrote the story when he was in his 30s, obviously he writes better than me *crosses arms*
Him: You're just jealous.

Me: His characters, oh, his characters- ALL OF THEM- are so, soo, characterized! They all have a role, all have distinct characteristics.

Him: Mhm

 

I wish I could write like Zusak, he's just, brilliant. Brilliant.

 

Now on to the other thing I totally felt myself going *drools* over. The narrator, Death. Rather than having an unknown narrator, Markus Zusak decided to make the narrator death. From the above excerpt, you guys already know I'm head over heels for Death. Death is witty, he is solemn, and he spoils a lot of things. But I like how he spoils events, it gives the whole book a very 'story being told' kind of feel to it. I, I don't know how to explain this, but it gives you this feeling.... gah, I don't know! This is why I envy Zusak, he totally steals the words from my mouth!

 

Another thing about the Book Thief was that throughout the whole story, there wasn't like a fixed plot. Hmm, what I'm trying to say, is that rather than having one anti force and everything revolving around it, there were many little things here and there. Yes, the major anti-force at the end of the day was the Fuhrer, Hitler. Liesel hated him for what he did to his mother, as Hans Huberman hated him for what he did to the Jews, and because of the Fuhrer everything was happening. But at the same time, the main story was just about a girl named Liesel Meminger, and her everyday life. The things she felt, the things she got into as a child, her friend Rudy Steiner...

 

RUDY!!!! I Ruddy love you! (Do you guys get it? Ha, ha.). Rudy is your typical boy. Wait, no, he's above typical, but anyway. He's the kid on the block who aspires for much, and gets himself into much mischief. He's bold (A kiss, saumensch?), he's brave (jumps into cold water, and giver of bread). He's everything a character should be balled up into childhood arrogance. I loved him for that, and oh, I totally loved the description Zusak gave him. The boy with lemon coloured hair.

 

Max. The Jewish fist fighter (god, how does Zusak come up with this brilliance?). Max, I have to say, was my absolutely favourite character...and... hey, is it wrong if I totally ship him and Liesel? PAUSE, don't get me wrong guys, I totally love Rudy, and I totally rooted them, but when the tragic something happens in the end (trying not to spoil), Max and Liesel are like all that are left of Himmel street, and the loneliness that I felt was just too much. At first, the friendship between Max and Liesel in itself was just brilliant, but you know, when she grows up? Besides, Max and Liesel are totally perfect, and you can't tell me otherwise! Max, oh Maxi Taxi *Weeps* And hey, Death even mentions a husband in the end, and I can't picture anyone except for Max in Rudy's place. How could any other man be half as brilliant as the characters that death took away on Himmel street?

 

Rosa Huberman (so many cherries, just hang on, guys). I liked her swearing. Saumensch, Saukerl, bring it on, Rosa! Rosa is the foster mother of Liesel, and she is constantly calling Liesel names. You may at first think, wha? Rosa is an despicable character! But no, she's a character with beautiful and distinctive characteristics. She's calling people names constantly, but at the same time she's loving. This just makes her more believable, rather than the cheesy mother who always gives you a hug, and a smile and bakes chocolate chip cookies. Puh-leaze.

 

All the characters introduced in the story are unforgettable. Even if they weren't as important. They all had a role, and as death likes to say: They all had a date with him.

 

All the relationships were excellently created, and built upon. It's through when they say, slow and steady wins the race.

 

I could probably go on and mention all the things I loved about this book (the thieving of books, and the thieving of food. The street soccer, Rudy and Jesse Owens. The stories of Max, the Standover man who was never really a man, but a woman. Arthur the teenage thief. Max fainting and hitting his head on the accordion. Rudy jumping into the water and saving the books. The domino playing. Kurt Steiner. The Jews and Hans Huberman giving them bread. Max and Liesel meeting in the end, and hugging and crying...etc)

 

I just don't know what to say or do. This story has been a whole load on my shoulders, and I absolutely cannot forget it. I just, just can't do it. Ok, this review has to come to an end now, though much of the emotion on my shoulders is still there, being heavy and all.

 

Unwholly by Neal Shusterman

Title: Unwholly
Author: Neal Shusterman
Rating: 5/5

Blurb
It’s finally here. The long-awaited sequel to the bestselling Unwind, which Publishers Weekly called a “gripping, brilliantly imagined futuristic thriller.”

Thanks to Connor, Lev, and Risa—and their high-profile revolt at Happy Jack Harvest Camp—people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding. Ridding society of troublesome teens while simultaneously providing much-needed tissues for transplant might be convenient, but its morality has finally been brought into question. However, unwinding has become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests that want to see it not only continue, but also expand to the unwinding of prisoners and the impoverished.

Cam is a product of unwinding; made entirely out of the parts of other unwinds, he is a teen who does not technically exist. A futuristic Frankenstein, Cam struggles with a search for identity and meaning and wonders if a rewound being can have a soul. And when the actions of a sadistic bounty hunter cause Cam’s fate to become inextricably bound with the fates of Connor, Risa, and Lev, he’ll have to question humanity itself.

Rife with action and suspense, this riveting companion to the perennially popular Unwind challenges assumptions about where life begins and ends—and what it means to live.

 

Review

So, let us start by mentioning Neal Shusterman. I adore the man, truly, I do. His storytelling skills are as sharp in my memory since a few years back when I read his Skinjacker trilogy (go check that out too). Neal Shusterman can not only create a riveting setting, but an equally gripping plot. He gives us the POV's of so many distinct characters, and still somehow manages to make them all work out. Let me all explain in detail:

 

The plot, first. The plot of the whole series revolves around the idea of 'unwinding', where adolescents of a certain age are eligible to be tossed out by their parents, and become unwound. The first book introduces all of this unwind business, and in the second book, we're taken a step further. To create a totally new person out of different parts of unwound teens. This is Cam, and Cam is one of the characters who's POV we get to taste. Cam is a curious character, and his curiosity helps entwine his life with Connor, Lev and Risa-not necessarily in that order. He plays many roles in the book, and one specific role that I totally adore him for comes in the end, what he does, you'll have to read to find out.

Ok, then there was Connor. Connor is the kind of character you root for throughout the story. He's the guy who's POV you'd want to read the most. The guy who, if something happened to him, you'd probably roll on the floor going: NO, not my baby Connor *weeps*. He's the leader, Connor, he's the guy who just wants the best for everybody, while at the same time he's doubting certain things about himself. In the first book he gets a replacement arm when his breaks, and this arm belongs to the guy who 'was going to hurt Risa', so now he's not sure he'd be able to control himself before her. Aw, relationship problems between my favourite couple! It only makes the story interesting.

Another character we get to see things from is Starkey, a new to be unwind kid. Starkey is a major fan of Connor, the AWOL, but when he meets Connor, he's a big disappointed. Things happen, and Starkey just proves to be my new voldymort *gags*.

Overall, all these different characters meet and connect somewhere along the way, and they are all connected to the plot, like different pieces of a puzzle. Throughout the book, Neal Shusterman can truly get that reaction from us, the realisation that all the characters are somehow important. In general, his style of writing is truly amazing, and I so can not wait for the third book in this trilogy!

The ending was not a cliff-hanger, but definitely there were many things that happened, and many reactions and results we need to see in the next book.

Waiting on Wednesday: 19/09/2012

 

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 

Today's Pick:

Unwholly by Neal Shusterman

416 pages.

Published by: Simon & Schuster

I. WANT. THIS. BOOK. SO. BADLY.

 

Blurb

Thanks to Connor, Lev, and Risa—and their high-profile revolt at Happy Jack Harvest Camp—people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding. Ridding society of troublesome teens while simultaneously providing much-needed tissues for transplant might be convenient, but its morality has finally been brought into question. However, unwinding has become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests that want to see it not only continue, but also expand to the unwinding of prisoners and the impoverished.
Cam is a product of unwinding; made entirely out of the parts of other unwinds, he is a teen who does not technically exist. A futuristic Frankenstein, Cam struggles with a search for identity and meaning and wonders if a rewound being can have a soul. And when the actions of a sadistic bounty hunter cause Cam’s fate to become inextricably bound with the fates of Connor, Risa, and Lev, he’ll have to question humanity itself.
Rife with action and suspense, this riveting companion to the perennially popular Unwind challenges assumptions about where life begins and ends—and what it means to live.

 

My Thoughts

OK, what can I say, I'm nuts about this book. It's out already, came out on the 28th of August, a month ago- so how come I don't HAVE IT yet? I'm just going to go cry now, don't have the power to talk *blubbers*

 

Eden's Root by Rachel E. Fisher

Title: Eden's Root

Series: Eden's Root Trilogy
Author: Rachel E. Fisher 
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 380
Published: December 17th, 2011
My rating: 3

 

Blurb

The year is 2033 and the world hovers on the edge of explosion as unexplained crop deaths lead to severe global food shortages. In the United States, the Sickness is taking lives slowly, creeping its way into every family. Fi Kelly has already faced the Sickness in her own family, toughening her beyond her years. But a shocking confession from her dying father will push her toughness to its absolute limits. Saddled with an impossible secret and the mission of saving her little sister, Fi sets out to transform herself into the warrior that she must become to survive the coming collapse. Along the way, she will discover that evil can be accidental and that love can be intentional.

 

Review

It's the year 2033, world chaos, one girl and her family. Sounded interesting, and proved to be so. There were some turn effects for me, though, but we'll get to that later. The main concept of this dystopian novel seemed to spin around the problem of food, a problem that I think is connected with real life. Fi Kelly's- the protagonist- dad is on the verge of death because of the sickness, but he has secrets that will change Fi's whole life. Before her fathers death, he reveals to her that the very food they eat is killing them all. Sickfood. Yikes, huh? But there is a solution- and it'll be the biggest risk she'll ever have to face.

Fi Kelly, she's a very different character. Petite in size, but when it comes to energy, she's bursting with it. Seriously, she is, and that sort of threw me back a little. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love a strong female character, but I don't like them perfect. There were times when she'd go out on raids and stack her bag with like, a dozen cans and who knows what else. I can barely hold a grocery bag to my car, and I'm tall, but this petite girl can stack a whole bag and run with it without slowing down? Seemed a bit unrealistic. Her ego, didn't like that either. She felt herself responsible for everyone's safety, so she would put up this I'm so strong shield in front of everyone, and then complain when alone. Got tired of her a long time ago. Don't get me started on the whole Sean thing (trying not to spoil much).

Just because I didn't like Fi, didn't mean I didn't like the story. There was something about it that kept me bound for some reason. Maybe it was the thrill of all the adventure, or just wanting to know how things would end up. I will be honest though, this was one of those stories where there weren't that many surprises. And it sort of repeated itself. For example, Fi and her family met with people along the way, adding them to their family. When you thought the family was done, well, you'd be wrong.

One thing that made me laugh a little was french. Yeah, there was some french here or there, and speaking french myself (Canadian here!), I found it funny when the characters said something wrong.

Ok, this one I have to write down, because it irked me to no end! The characters in the story.... drum roll please... LAUGHED. AT. EVERYTHING. Even the things that made no sense, and at random times.

Then there was the romance. It was slow, very slow, and when I thought it might get interesting, it got triangular (oh hahaha). I'm not a fan of love triangles, unless their written pro-ishly. Period.

In all, I realise that this review wasn't all positive, but it was the most honest I've ever been. Why I gave it three stars? The first was for the effort and the idea. The idea was creative, very. Second, If I read to the end, it deserves some credit. And the third star, well, I did enjoy it a little. With a bit of tinkering, I think the story could go far.